Panattoni develops distribution center for JD Sports and brings 1,500 jobs to Heerlen

Panattoni develops distribution center for JD Sports and brings 1,500 jobs to Heerlen. The facility will be built to BREEAM 'Very Good' standards and is expected to be fully occupied in early 2024. GXO will manage the entire omnichannel logistics management of JD Sports for the European markets. Heerlen is a key logistics gateway to European markets. The distribution center there will serve as the central hub for JD Sports' operations in continental Europe. In partnership with real estate developer Panattoni, the facility, of 60,000 sq. ft, is currently under construction. The distribution center will be equipped with the latest technology and automation solutions and can be further expanded in the future. The facility when it is fully operational, it is expected to create 1,500 new jobs in the region.

Heerlen City Councilman Martin de Beer is pleased that JD Sports and GXO have chosen Heerlen. "We are working on sustainable, healthy and future-proof work clusters. The new distribution center for JD Sports fits well with the high-quality logistics cluster in Heerlen and Parkstad. The new jobs offer prospects to job seekers from the region."

Jeroen Gerritsen, Managing Director Panattoni Netherlands: "This former industrial site in Heerlen has been remediated and the old factory has made way for a sustainable distribution center for GXO and JD Sports. The usable material from the demolition, such as the concrete and bricks, we have we processed on site and reused in the new building. For the well-being of the employees the design takes into account optimal lighting and fresh air supply. Naturally, the distribution center is gasless, and through a partnership with Sunrock, the huge roof is transformed into a solar power plant that will provide not only the building but also 2,000 households with renewable electricity."

The building totals some 70,000m2 and includes over 60,000m2 of warehouse, 6,500m2 of mezzanine and over 1,600m2 of office space.

"We are very excited to be partnering with JD Sports," said Luc Laurijssens, Managing Director, GXO Logistics Netherlands and Belgium. "This agreement with one of the world's leading retailers strengthens our position as a provider of omnichannel logistics. We are very much looking forward to supporting JD Sports with our experience and expertise in innovative technology and automated logistics solutions for e-commerce."

JD Sports has approximately 3,300 stores in 32 countries, with a strong presence in Europe. The company expects continued strong future growth in retail and e-commerce and is partnering with GXO for omnichannel support in Europe.

GXO has won several awards as an employer in Europe. To recruit candidates for positions in the new distribution center in Heerlen, GXO will soon launch a careers page on its website. For all GXO job openings worldwide, please visit: https://jobs.gxo.com/